Process of producing caoutchouc-like substances.



g No Drawing.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

CARL COUTELLE, OF ELBERFELD, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO FABBENFABBIKEN VOBM. FBIEDB. BAYER & 00., OF ELBEBFELD, GERMANY, A CORPORATION OF GERMANY.

PROCESS OF PRODUCING CAOUTGHOUC=LIKE SUBSTANCES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 10, 1913. Serial 1%. 780,210.

Patented Sept. 23, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, CARL OoU'rnLLn, doctor of philosophy, chemist, citizen of the German Empire, residing at Elbe-rfeld, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes of Producing Caoutchouc-Like Substances, of which the following is a specification. A

In order toproduce caoutchouc-like substances, the hydrocarbons of the butadiene series were hitherto polymerized by means of alkali metals, both in their isolated state and in the form of mixtures, such as alloys and amalgams. I have now found that this reaction proceeds much more smoothly and results in larger yields if, instead of the pure metals such as sodium or potassium, these metals are used after being exteriorly oxidized, for example, by the action of air.

In order to illustrate the new process more fully the following example is given, the parts being by weight :20 parts of sodium wire previously exposed to air, until it looks almost, white, are added to 1,000 parts of isoprene. After some time isoprene is completely converted into the caoutchouc substance. Gentle heating accelerates the polymerization.

Instead of isoprene, other butadienes'can be used,"and the butadienes may be mixed -with indifferent solvents.

Instead of sodium, other exteriorly oxidized light metals, for example, potassium can be used.

Y I do not confine myself to the particulars I claim 1. The process of producing caoutchouc substances which com rises subjecting hydrocarbons of the buta diene series to the action of an exteriorly oxidized alkali forming metal, substantially as described.

2. The process of producing caoutchouc substances which comprises subjecting hydrocarbons of the butadiene series to the action of an exteriorly oxidized alkali metal, substantially as described.

3. The process of producing caoutchouc substances which comprises subjecting hydrocarbons of the butadiene series to the action of exteriorly oxidized sodium, sub stantially as described.

4. The process of producing caoutchouc substances which comprises subjecting isoprene to the action of an exteriorly oxidized alkali forming metal, substantially as described. 5. The process of producing caoutchouc substances which comprises subjecting isoprene to the action of an exteriorly oxidized alkali metal, substantially as described.

6. The process of producing caoutchouc substances which comprises subjecting isoprene to the action of exteriorly oxidized sodium, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARL COUTELLE. [L.S.]

Witnesses:

HELEN Norm, JULIUS FESTNER. 

